I think speech should be put on a pedestal. I hate to give such a pithy response, but if you don't - if you aim to work towards a world where nobody can say offensive things - I'm not sure there's much for us to discuss here.
I didn't say speech wasn't special, I asked you to consider it as a kind of action, which it is. I value the free exchange of ideas because speech is such a significant kind of action. What I said is that I should be free to associate with people who do good things with that amazing freedom. What is the conclusion of your argument? That speech is so important that I shouldn't be able to pick who I want to be friends or business partners with based on what they say?
Yes, I consider speech to be that important. I don't think you should pick friends or business partners that way, although I don't think you should be forbidden to either.